Abakaliki, Nigeria – The management of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, has debunked a social media report that it was illegally auctioning properties of the Institution.
The Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, debunked the report on Thursday in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen.
Ogbu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, urged the public to disregard the report, adding that the management decided to put the records straight in public interest and not to “dignify the purveyor of the report”.
“The report alleged that EBSU properties are being auctioned illegally. However, our properties are actually in good use as no single property of the Institution has ever been auctioned when still in good use.
“Prior to the auctioning process, a university statutory board of survey is normally mandated by the university to look at some of its unserviceable items.
“This board headed by a reputable professor has membership drawn across the university and takes not less that 6 months to compile the list of items to be auctioned.”
The Vice Chancellor noted that the final list of items usually goes through several layers of approval by the institution’s management.
“The list is made public for a couple of weeks before the public bidding, detailing the names and locations of items.
“This is to enable prospective bidders have proper assessment as the bidding is usually held on a
publicised date and venue.
“Interested members of the public converge at the venue to observe the process which is next to perfection.”
He noted that the police are currently investigating the case of the institution’s articulated vehicle which was stolen while in the custody of one its drivers.
The Institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Chika Nwafor, highlighted that the driver raised alarm that the articulated vehicle was illegally towed by some unknown persons where it was parked at the mechanic village.
“Investigations into the matter commenced and when the driver was interrogated by security agencies, he recanted and claimed it was towed to a widow’s compound for safety.
“The vehicle was, however, tracked by security agents to a location at Ikwo Local Government Area and curiously it has been remodelled to almost a new one.
“Happily, the vehicle has been retrieved as it serves utility purposes for the Institution.”
